This module traces the development of the English language over a one thousand year period, from its original appearance in 5^th century Britain, to the emergence of Early Modern English around 1500 and the birth of Modern English towards the end of the 18^th century.  We will examine engravings medieval manuscripts inspired by politics, religion and story-telling.  Using textual evidence and historical records we will evaluate the impact of external events and political influences both on the internal structure of the language and on its social status. In addition we will study how the forms of the language changed.

• Demonstrate an awareness of the background to the vocabulary and structure of Modern English
• Appreciate the role of political and social events in the development of a language
• Demonstrate a basic knowledge of the important texts of the Old and Middle English periods
• Understand the ways in which speaking and writing systems evolve
• Use textual evidence to hypothesise about external influences on language development
• Use textual evidence to study how the sounds, wordings and grammar of English have changed

Timetabled sessions include 2 lectures and 1 seminar per week. All sessions will require some interaction, and during seminars, you may be required to make presentations and contribute to discussion. Lectures are usually supplemented with PowerPoint slides and handouts summarising content at a reasonable level of detail. These are made available on Learning Central immediately before or after the session. Audio and video are used in this module.

This module will give students the opportunity to make interdisciplinary connections, as they examine the effects of social, political and technological change on the development of language structure and use.  They will develop approaches to problem-solving, as they apply their knowledge of linguistics, languages, and literary forms to the decoding of Old and Middle English texts. Work will be conducted in groups, pairs and individually, and students will use spoken, written and visual forms of communication and report.   The module is also relevant to all the employability pathways.

The module is assessed by coursework (50%) and exam (50%).

In the coursework students will focus their attention on a particular text, and will use extracts and examples from it to demonstrate their awareness of the political and cultural context in which it was written.  They will analyse the language of the text, in terms of its structure, vocabulary and genre, in order to position it in the developmental evolution of the language. 

The exam will be in three sections.  In the first section, students will be required to identify, contextualise and give a supported translation of an excerpt from an important Old or Middle English text.  The second section will comprise four questions about the structure or use of the language or about events or people which are important to its development.  The final section will be an essay question, requiring students to provide an overview of one broad period of language change.

The module is assessed according to the Assessment Criteria set out in the English Language Undergraduate Student Handbook. Otherwise, there are no academic or competence standards which limit the availability of adjustments or alternative assessments for students with disabilities.

• Languages of the Celts and Romans
• Britain before 1000 (historical perspective)
• Old English grammar and vocabulary
• Old English vocabulary, including months of the year
• Old English texts – an overview
• The influence of the Norman Invasion on the English language
• The influence of Norse borrowings
• The influence of the Black-Death in creating a new society
• Attitudes to English and the emergence of Middle English
• Owls, Nightingales and Cuckoos
• Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
• Chaucer
• The Great Vowel Shift
• Printing
• Emergence of standard English

The main readings for this module are excerpts from book chapters and OE and ME texts provided by the module leader.  You will also be expected to read books and journal articles both in printed copy and online. You should contact the module leader as early as possible if you will require readings in an alternative format.

Barber C (2000).  The English Language; a historical introduction.  Cambridge: University Press

Baugh A and T Cable (2013).  A History of the English Language (6^th edition).  London: Routledge

Blake N F (ed)  (1996)  A History of the English Language.  Cambridge: CUP

Burnley D (1992)  The History of the English Language.  Harlow: Longman

Carter R and J McRae (2001)  The Routledge History of Literature in English.  Oxford: Routledge

Crystal D (1988)  The English language.  Harmondsworth: Penguin

Crystal D (1995)  The Cambridge Encyclopedia of the English language.  Cambridge: CUP

Crystal D (2005)  The Stories of English.  London:  Penguin

Freeborn D (2006)  From Old English to Standard English.  London: Macmillan

Graddol D, D Leith and J Swann (1996)  English, History, Diversity and Change.  London: Routledge

Graddol D, D Leith, J Swann, M Rhys and J Gillen (eds) (2007) Changing English.  London: Routledge

Gramley S (2012)  The History of English: An Introduction. London: Routledge

McIntyre D (2009) History of English.  London: Routledge

Minkova, D. (2013) A Historical Phonology of English. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press

Minkova, D & R Stockwell. (2010). English Words History and Structure (second edition) Cambridge: Cambrdige University Press.

Mitchell B and Robinson F (2001) A Guide to Old English (sixth edition). Oxford: Blackwell

Price G (1987) The Languages of Britain. London: Arnold

Williams J M (1976) Origins of the English Language: A social and linguistic history.  NY: Free Press